ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has convened a joint session of both houses of parliament today, Thursday, to formally ratify the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province amid rising political tensions. The move follows the National Assembly and Senate separately approving his Sunday decision to suspend the provincial government.
The central government dissolved KP’s provincial administration and transferred authority to the governor, citing the PTI-led government’s inability to contain escalating militant attacks. In a statement, the National Assembly confirmed the joint sitting would begin at 11:00 a.m. local time in Parliament House.
Zardari invoked Articles 232 and 234 of the constitution to declare emergency and impose governor’s rule, respectively. Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry clarified that parliamentary approval under Article 232 would be granted separately by each house before ratification in the joint session, while governor’s rule approval requires the joint sitting. The interim administration will last two months initially, extendable to a maximum of six months.
Defending the decree during parliamentary debates, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized the province’s security crisis, citing over 3,787 militant incidents in the past year. He argued the provincial government prioritized politics over counterterrorism efforts.
The emergency was declared as PTI supporters marched toward Islamabad demanding the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been detained since 2023 on corruption and sedition charges. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated the government had no alternative due to KP’s deteriorating security situation.
The opposition criticized the move as undermining provincial autonomy and democratic governance. Reports indicate clashes between PTI demonstrators and police have occurred since the emergency declaration, with over 270 party members arrested, according to AFP citing police sources.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who led the PTI march toward the capital, has been placed under preventive detention.
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